Apparatus for treating fibrous materials.



W. M. GROSVENOR.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIALS. APPLICATION FILBD JAN. 25,1910. RENEWED NOV. 10, 1911.

1 ,0 1 9, 3 1 9. Patented Mar. 5 1912.

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w. M. GROSVENOR. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIALS. APPLICATIONFILED JAN. 25, 1910 RENEWED NOV. 16, 1911. 1,019,319, Patented Mar. 5,1912.

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iAMA/ u di'rozncl i MN I m WM W. M. GROSVENOR. I ,APPARATUS FOR TREATINGFIBROUS MATERIALS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1910 RENEWED NOV. 16,1911.

1,,U19,319. Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

W. M. GROSVENOR. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIALS. APPLICATIONFILED JAN.25, i910v RENEWED NOV. 16, 1911.

1, 1 9 3 1 9 Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

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Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

- J wuc ntoz W. M. GROSVENOR. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIALS.7 APPLQIOATION FILED 11111.25, 1910. RENEWED NOV. 16, 1911. 1,01 9,31 9.

Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

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WILLIAM M. GROSVENOR, GRANT'WOOD, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented Mar. 5, 1912.

Application filed January 25, 1910, Serial No. 539,919. Renewed November16, 1911. Serial No. 660,684.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. Gnos- VENOR, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Grantwood, Bergencounty, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Treating Fibrous Materials, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in systems and apparatus fortreating fibrous materials and is more especially directed toimprovements in apparatus for drying paper and preparing the pulp forthe same.

Various objects of my invention are to provide an apparatus in which thedrying operation may be carried out much more economically andthoroughly and much more eiiiciently and to also provide an arrangementin which some of the energy and material which would otherwise be lostin the drying operation may be utilized in the preparation of the pulpofthe material.

Further objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear fromthe detailed description given below taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of anapparatus embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontalsection. of the same taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is avertical section taken at right angles-to that shown in Fig. 1, alongthe line III-III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan of a modified form ofapparatus embodying certain features of my invention, certain partsbeing broken away to more clearly show the same. Fig. 5 is a verticalcross-section taken on the line V V of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a longitudinalvertical section taken on the lines VI-VI of Figs. 4 and 5.

In order that the principles of my invention may be clearly ascertainedand that others skilled in the art may readily construct a satisfactoryapparatus of my invention I will now describe in detail the specificapparatus which is illustrated in the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 1 represents a suitable chamber havingtherein dividing walls 2 and 3, so that a suitable andsubstantiallyclosed cyclic path is formed for the drying medium. In theupper part of the chamber 1, I place a series of suitable heatingmembers which in the particular embodiment of my'invention illustratedare shown ascylindrical rolls 4, supporting the paper and rotatablymounted in the framework 5. The rolls 4 have pinions 6 secured to theiraxles, which pinions are geared together and are driven by a pinion 7driven by any suitable source of power from a shaft 8.

For heating the rolls 1 I provide a pipe 9 which supplies steam to thevarious pipes 10, one each of which connects with one of the rolls 4through the inlets 11, (see Fig. 3) 5 that is, steam is admitted to theinterior of the cylindrical rolls 4 from the pipe 9 through the pipes 10and through the bearlugs and trunnions of the rolls, these being madehollow for this purpose. In order that the exhaust maybe taken away fromthe interior of these rolls they are provided on their interior withplates 12 under which the condensed moisture collects the moisture orwater running thereunder throu h the spaces 13. From under the plates 2the moisture passes toward the center of the rolls through pipes 14, tospaces 15 around the inlet ducts 11. From the spaces 15 the moisturepasses outwardly and is carried away throughpipes 16 to the main exhaustplpe 17.

In the lower compartment of the chamber is situated a fan 18 which maybeof any Well known form and which forces the drying medium about thecyclic path in the drying chamber in the direction indicated by thearrows. At the right of the fan 18 and adjacent the wall 3 is aplurality of heating pipes 19 supplied with steam or other suitableheating medium through, a pipe 20. The exhaust from the heating means 19is carried away through pipes 21. At the left of the fan 18 and in thelower compartment of the drying chamber is a suitable condenserconsisting of pipes 22 supplied with cold water from the pipe 23. Theexhaust from the pipes 22 is taken away through the pipe 24 which entersinto a suitable tank 25.

Below the condensingpipe 22 is situated a pipes 22 may be carried awayto other places through a pipe 28. Valves 29 and 30 regulate the.proportion of exhaust water from the condensing pipe 22 which isdeposited within the tank 25. The amount of heat supplied to the dryingmediumby means of the heating coils 19 may be adjusted by means of avalve 31. I

Below the drying apparatus above described is situated a pulp beatingapparatus 32 which may be of any well known form, but, which as shown,consists of a suitable tank 33 having a longitudinal position 34 thereinwith a paddle wheel 35 ar ranged on one side of the same. The paddlewheel 35 is driven in any suitable manner by means of pulley 36 and belt37 The tank 25 is used as a supply for warm water to be used in the pulpbeater 32. For this purpose a pipe 38 connects the tank 25 with the pulpbeater 32 and a valve 39 is arrangedtherein to regulate the amount offlow to the pulp beater. A valve 40 is arranged in the pipe 23 toregulate the amount of cold water sup-plied to the condenser and therebyregulate the amount of humidity of the drying medium.

In operation the paper or web of pulp 41 is fed in at the left hand endof the appa-' ratus as indicated, passing between rolls 42, 43 and 44and through an aperture 45 in the chamber 1. The web then passes overand about the cylindrical surfaces of the various heating members orrolls 4, some on one side of the paper and others on the other side ofthe paper, as. clearly shown. By' the particular arrangement of rollsshown the web is given an up and down path-through the apparatus andpasses out through an aperture 46 at the right hand end of thechamber 1. Then it passes over suitable rollsand may be wound upona reel47.

As the paper passes over the rolls 4 it comes into contact with theheated cylindrical surfaces thereon, which surfaces have been heated bythe steam admitted thereto as above described. This hardens the fibrousmaterial in a well known way. While the web of paper or other fibrousmaterial is thus passed through the apparatus the drying medium iscirculated in a counter-direction thereto, by means of the fan 18. Thedrying medium is heated in its cyclic passage by means of the heatingcoils 19 and after passing over the web of pulp and absorbing themoisture therefrom this moisture is condensed out of the same by meansof the condensing coils 22.

In order that the drying medium may come into very thorough contact withall portions of the web of fibrous material I have provided bafiies 48extending alternately from either side "of the chamber 1, so that thedrying medium is caused to pass alternately back and forth in atransverse direction over the surface of the material. These bafiiesonly extend a short distance beyond the edges of the paper so that amplespace is given for the passage of the drying medium around their ends.

In order that the operation of the apparatus may be closely watched andany trouble therewith easily located I have provided suitable'windows 49in the sides of the chamber 1. Doors 50 and 50' are also .provided inthe ends of the apparatus for' it will be appreciated that in any casethe action of the condensers does not remove all the moisture from theatmosphere passing over them and that one of the principles of thepresent improvement consists in the drying of paper in a re-circulatedatmosphere having a high temperature and carrying considerable moisturein order to prevent the harsh and excessive drying which renders thepaper brittle and is the cause of so many breakages, both in the dryingmachine and later in the modern high speed pressers. Theopenings 2 and 2may be wholly or partially closed by covers or doors 2 and 2.

From the above it will appear that the apparatus described is especiallyeconomical and eflicient for treating fibrous materials such as paperpulp, etc., since it causes the drying medium to come into very thoroughcontact with the material, utilizes at least most of the same mediumover and overagain, thereby avoiding disturbances due to climaticchanges and substantially prevents the access of foreign matter to theapparatus. Furthermore, the system and apparatus, by drying the pulp ina moist atmosphere produce a tougher paper; reducing loss and delay bybreakage in the drier and prem. Alsothey are especially eflicient sincethe condensing water and also the condensate withdrawn from the dryingmedium which would otherwise go to waste are deposited in a suitablereceptacle so that they may be used in the pulp beater Thus certainconstituents used to prepare the material for the drying process arederived from the condensing action of that process.

Referring to 'F igs. 4, 5 and 6 I there show a modified form ofapparatus. In these figures 51 represents a suitable chamber constructedto form a substantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium bymeans of a partition 52. Suitably arranged within the chamber 51 is aseries of hardening rolls rolls 53 1s a plurality of heating. coils 57which are supplied withsteam through a pipe-58 and the exhaust fromwhich is carried away by means of a pipe 59.. In the upper part of thechamber 51 are arranged condensing pipes 60 su water or other cooling,uid through inlet pipes 61, which fluid flows away-from the coils 60through outlet pipes 62. Valves 63 are provided in the pipes 61 in orderto regulate the amount of coolin and thereby the amount of moisture leftm the drying medium. A drip pan 64 is provided below the condensing.coil 60 which collects moisture condensed from the drying medium and apipe 65 leads from this drip pan and may connect with a suitable tankand pulp beater as already described-with respect to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Asuitable valve may be included in the inlet pipe 58 in order to properlyregulate the amount of steam admitted to the heating 'coils 57 asalreadydescribed. A suitable door 66 is provided on one side 6f the apparatusin orderthat easy access may be had thereto. This door may be lifted oropened by means of a cable 67 passing over. pulleys 68 and having aweight 69 attached to its other end as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Suitablew1n ows 70 are also provided in the sides and top of the apparatus inorder that easy inspection of the operation .of the apparatus may behad; In operation, the drying medium is heated by the heating coils 57,which, due to its expansion, passes 11 wardly and comes into contactwith" the un er surfaces of the web oif paper 71, which passes throughthe machine in the same manner as described with respect to Figs. 1, 2and 3. The framework 7 2 on the right hand side of the rolls is madesolid so that the drying medium is prevented from passing above the webof paper on that side of the rolls. The drying medium is thus forcedabout the edge of therection to the right hand side of the apparatus.This causes the dryin medium to come into thorough contact with bothsurfaces of the web of material. The drying medium then passes upwardlythrough the plied; with cold passage 74 and comes into thorough'contactwith the condensing pipes60. The drying medium is thereupon cooled sothat it becomes heavier and sinks downwardly through the passage 7 5until it again comes into contact with the heating pipes 57 and is againheated. This cycle of operations is continually repeated as long asdesired, the differences in specific gravity due to the heating andcooling of the medium causing its circulation about the cyclic passage.

The apparatus and system shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 may be provided withsuitable connections to the pulp beating or other preparing apparatus sothat the otherwise waste cooling liquid may be conducted thereto andutilized therein aswell as the entire moisture condensed and collectedin the pan 64.

From the above it will appear that the e cient and economical in thatthe drying medium is brought into thorough contact with the material tobe dried and that the same drying atmosphere may be used over and overagain and so that the operation of the system is not subjected .to thedetri mental effects of climatic variations. Furthermore, the apparatusis so arranged and so constructed that easy access may be had to allparts thereof and the operation may be readily inspected withoutinterfering therewith, and workmen are not subjected to tryingatmosphere conditions, and troublesome condensation on roofs andceilings is avoided.

Although I have described my improvements in great detail, neverthelessI do not desire to be limited thereto except as specified hereinafter inthe claims, since many modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention. But' Having thusfully-and clearly described my improvements what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamber forminga substantially closed cyclic path for the dryingmedium, a plurality ofsuitable supports therein over which the material to be dried passes,means for independently heating each support, means for heating thedrying medium in said cyclic path, means for cooling the drying mediumin said path and mechanical means for forcing the drying medium aroundsaid cyclic path.

2. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamber formingacyclic path for the drying medium, a plurality of members therein overwhich'the material to be dried'passes, some on one side of the materialand others on the other side of the material, means for heating saidmembers, said means including a source of heat inside each e5 apparatusand system described is especially of a suitable chamber forming asubstan.

tially closed cyclic path over which the drying medium is caused tocirculate, a series of members in said path over which the material tobe dried passes, and means for independently heating each of saidmembers to heat the members, whereby each member will independently heatthe material.

5. In a drying apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of ,achamber forming a cyclic path for the drying medium,

meansin said path for conveying the material, means for internallyheating said conveying means to provide heated surfaces for the materialto rest upon and parts arranged to cause the drying medium to circulatearound said cyclic path.

6. In a drying apparatus for fibrous ma-- terial, the combination of achamber forming a substantially closed cyclic path for the dryingmedium, a series of members in said cyclic path over which the materialto be dried passes, means for heating said conveying members to provideheated surfaces for the material to rest upon, independent means forheating the drying medium in said cyclic pat-h, means for cooling thedrying medium in said cyclic path and mechanical means for forcing thedrying medium around said cyclic path.

7. In a drying machine, the combination of a chamber forming asubstantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium, a series ofmembers in one portion of said path over the surfaces of which thematerial to be dried passes, bafiiing means adjacent said membersarranged to deflect the drying medium transversely across the surface ofthe material to be dried as it passes over the members, heating meansfor'the drying medium in another portion of said path and cooling meansfor the drying medium in another portion of said path.

8. In a drying machine, a plurality of rolls for conveying the materialto be dried through the apparatus, means for independently heating eachrollto provide heated surfaces for heating the material to be dried, andmeans for circulating a drying medium over the material to be dried asit passes over said rolls and removing the same to re-, move moisturefrom the material to be dried.

9. In a drying machine, a plurality of members for supporting thematerial to be a and forth transversely of the web of mate,- rial to bedried as it passes over said rolls.

10. In a drying apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of achamber form-- ing a substantially closed cyclic path for the dryingmedium, means in said pathfor. conveying the material, means forheating.

said conveying means, to provide heated surfaces for the material torest upon, a plurality of baflies arranged to cause the drying medium totravel back and forth transversely of the material and conveying meansand parts arranged to cause the drying medium to circulate around saidcyclic path.

11. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamber forminga substantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium, suitable rollstherein over which the material to be dried passes, a plurality ofbaflies arranged to cause the drying medium to travel back and forthtransversely of the material to be dried as it passes over the rolls,means for heating said rolls, means for heating the drying medium insaid cyclic path, means in said path for cooling the drying medium insaid path and mechanical means for forcing the drying medium around saidcyclic path.

12. In a paper drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamberforming a substantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium, aseries of members therein over which the paper passes, a plurality ofbaflles arranged to cause the drying medium to travel back-and forthtransversely of the paper as it passes over the members, means forheating the drying medium in said cyclic path and means in said cyclicpath for cooling the drying medium before it engages the heating means.7

13. In a drying machine, a plurality of rolls for conveying the materialto be dried.

through'the apparatus, means for heating said rolls to provide heatedsurfaces for heating the material to be dried, and means forcirculating'a drying medium, over the material to be dried, in acounterdirection to the movement of the material to be dried and in a cyclicpath and removing the drying medium therefrom to remove moisture fromthe material to be dried.

14. In a drying apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of achamber forming a substantially closed cyclic path for the dryingmedium, means for conveying the material in said path, means for heatingsaid conveying means directly adjacent the conveying means to provideheated sur- J faces for the material to rest" upon, and parts arrangedto cause the drying medium to circulate around said cyclic path in adirection counter to the movement of the material. r

15. In a drying apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of achamber forming a substantially closed cyclic path for the dryingmedium, a series of members in said cyclic path over which the materialto be dried passes, means for admitting a heating fluid to the inside ofsaid members to provide heated surfaces for the material to rest upon, acondenser in said path for cooling the drying medium, and parts arrangedto cause the drying medium to circulate around said cyclic path.

16. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamber forminga substantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium, suitable rollstherein over which the material to be dried passes, means forindependently heating each roll and parts arranged to cause acirculation of the drying medium about said cyclic path, said chamberbeing provided with a window in its wall for easy inspection of thedrying process, and with a door for easy ingress and egress thereto.

17. In a drying apparatus, a chamber forming a suitable path for thedrying medium, a plurality of rolls in said chamber for conveying thematerial therethrough, means for admitting a heating fluid to theinterior of said rolls, and means for circulating the drying medium overthe material in said path. i

18. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitablechamber forminga substantially closed cyclic path for the drying.

medium, a plurality of suitable supports therein over which the materialto be dried passes, means for admitting a heating fluid to the interiorof said supports to heat the supports and means for forcing the dryingmedium around said cyclic path, and means for heating the drying mediumin said cyclic path. 7

19. In a drying apparatus, the combination of a suitable chamber forminga sub stantially closed cyclic path for the drying medium, a series ofhollow members therein over which the material to be dried passes, meansfor admitting a heating fluid to the interior of said members to heatthe members, means for forcing the drying medium around said cyclicpath, means for cooling the drying medium in said cyclic path and meansfor heating the drying medium in said cyclic path after the dryingmedium has been cooled by said cooling means and before it engages thematerial to be. dried.

20. In a paper making machine, the combination of hardening rollers,means for admitting steam to the inside of said rollers, an auxiliaryheater, a condenser and means for circulating the atmosphere surroundingthe rollers over the heater and condenser.

21. In a drying apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of achamber forming'a cyclic path for the drying medium, means for conveyingthe material in said path, means for admitting a heating fluid to theinside of said conveying means to provide heated surfaces for thematerial to rest upon, and parts arranged to cause the drying medium tocirculate around said cyclic path.

22. In a. system for treating fibrous material, the combination of meansfor beating up the pulp for said material, a suitable chamber in whichthe material may be dried by.a drying medium, means for cooling thedrying medium and means for conveying the heat absorbed in said coolingto the pulp beating means to be utilized therein.

23. In a system for treating fibrous material, the combination of meansfor beating up the pulp for said material, a suitable chamber in whichthe material may be dried by a drying medium, means for cooling thedrying medium to condense therefrom moisture taken from the materialbeing dried, and means for conveying said moisture to the pulp beatingmeans to be'utilized therein.

24. In a system for treating fibrous material, the combination of meansfor beating up the pulp for said material, a'suitable chamber in whichthe material may be dried by a drying medium, means for cooling thedrying medium to condense therefrom moisture taken from the materialbeing dried, means for conveying said moisture to the pulp beating meansto be utilized therein, and means forconveying the heat absorbed in saidcooling to the pulp beating means to be utilized therein.

25. In a system for treating fibrous material, the combination. of meansfor beating up the pulp for said material, a suitablechamber inwhich'ihe material may be dried by a drying medium, means in the dryingchamber having surfaces on which the material rests, means for heatingsaid surfaces to harden the material, means for cooling the dryingmedium and means for conveying the heat absorbed in said cooling to thepulp beating means to be utilized therein.

26. In a system for treating fibrous material, the combination of meansfor beating up the pulp for said material, a suitable chamber in whichthe material may be dried by a drying medium, means in the dryingchamber having surfaces on which the material rests, means for heatingsaid surfaces'to harden the material, means for cooling the dryingmedium to condense therefrom moisture taken from the material'beingdried, and means for conveying said moisture to the pulp beating meansto be utilized therein.

27. In a system for treating fibrous "material, the combination of apulp beater therefor, a suitable drying chamber for a drying medium, acondenser for condensing the moisture absorbed from the material,'

out of the drying medium, and means for conveying the condensate to thepulp beater to be utilized therein.

28. In a system for treating fibrous material, the combination of a pulpbeater therefor, a suitable drying chamber for a drying medium, suitablerolls for conveying the material through the chamber, means foradmitting a heating fluid to the inside of said rolls, a condenser forcondensing the moisture absorbed from the material out of the dryingmedium, and means for conveying the condensing liquid to the pulp beaterto be utilized therein.

80. In a system for treating fibrous material, a drying chamber for adrying medium, means for preparing the material to be dried for thedrying chamber, a condenser for the drying medium having connectionswith said preparing means whereby a constituent of the material in thepreparing means is derived from the condenser. In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name to this specification, in'the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM M. GROSVENOR. Witnesses: GORHAM CROSBY, EDWIN SEGER.

